NEW YORK (Agencies): In a remarkable achievement, Qatar Airways has been crowned the “Airline of the Year” by Skytrax for the eighth time. The Doha-based carrier also received three other prestigious awards: “World’s Best Business Class,” “World’s Best Business Class Airline Lounge,” and “Best Airline in the Middle East.”
Qatar Airways’ home and hub airport, Doha’s Hamad International Airport (DOH), was named the “World’s Best Airport” for the third time. Additionally, the airport received the award for “Best Airport in the Middle East” for the tenth time, while Qatar Duty-Free, the airport’s retail, secured the title of “World’s Best Airport Shopping” for the second consecutive year. This unprecedented triple win marks the first time an airline, an airport, and its retail have all been recognized as the best in their respective categories by Skytrax.
Widely regarded as the “Oscars” of the commercial aviation industry, the Skytrax Airline Awards represent the pinnacle of excellence in aviation. Qatar Airways Group CEO, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, expressed pride in the achievement, emphasizing the airline’s commitment to unparalleled service and innovation. Skytrax CEO Edward Plaisted praised Qatar Airways’ high standards and dedication, reaffirming its status as a favorite among passengers.
In other award categories, Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines secured the titles of “Best Airline in North America” and “Best Airline Staff.” Delta’s impressive performance included wins in various North America category awards, such as “Best Business Class,” “Best Premium Economy Class,” and “Best Economy Class.” Notably, none of the “Big Three” US carriers made it into the top 20 world’s best airlines.
Air Canada also stood out, earning four North American category awards. The Toronto-based carrier was recognized as the “Most Family Friendly Airline in North America,” excelled in premium economy onboard catering, and was named the “Cleanest Airline in North America.” Additionally, Air Canada’s cabin crew received the award for “Best Cabin Crew.”
Overall, Skytrax’s global rankings provide insights into the state of the airline industry, highlighting innovation and passenger experience. The top ten world’s best airlines include Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Emirates, All Nippon Airways (ANA), Cathay Pacific Airways, Japan Airlines, Turkish Airlines, EVA Air, Air France, and SWISS. Notably, five of these airlines are based in the Far East, three in the Middle East (including Turkey), and the remaining two in Europe. Some surprises in the rankings include British Airways (13th place), Virgin Atlantic (17th), Etihad (19th), Air New Zealand (22nd), and Qantas (24th).